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Decode Bradford White Serial Number — Decode the Manufacturing Date from the Serial Number

Beginner1 hour

Part of project

Water Heater Lifespan: Estimating Replacement & Planning · Step 2 of 3

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In this video

For Bradford White water heaters, find the serial number on the label. The age is encoded in the first two letters. The first letter represents the year of production, and the second letter represents the month. You will need to cross-reference these letters with a decoding chart, which can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Goal: Determine manufacturing date from serial number code

  • The decoding chart is often available online if you search for 'Bradford White water heater age'.
  • For the year code, there are often two possible years (e.g., 'H' = 1991 or 2011). Use the overall condition of the heater and its installation context to determine the most likely decade.

Used in this video

  • Bradford White Age Chart — To decode the year and month letters from the serial number into a manufacturing date.
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FAQs

What essential tools do I need to accurately locate and read my water heater's serial number, especially in tight or dark spaces?

You'll primarily need a good flashlight and your smartphone camera. The camera can help you take a clear picture of the label if it's in an awkward position or hard to read directly. A small mirror might also be useful for seeing around corners or obscured labels.

Are there any safety precautions I should take before attempting to locate or inspect my water heater's serial number?

Always be aware of your surroundings; gas water heaters have gas lines and electric models have electrical connections. Avoid touching hot surfaces or anything you are unsure about. While this task is low risk, if you smell gas or see frayed wires, do not proceed and contact a professional immediately.

How challenging is it to find and decode the serial number, and what if I can't locate or decipher it?

Finding the serial number is usually beginner-friendly, but can be tricky if the label is obscured or damaged. If you can't find it after checking all sides of the tank, or if it's unreadable, try searching online for 'your water heater brand serial number location' or contact the manufacturer's customer service with photos of the unit.

Once I've found the serial number, what's the easiest way to decode the manufacturing date?

Most manufacturers embed the year and sometimes the week or month in the serial number. The quickest method is to search online for '[Your Water Heater Brand] serial number date code.' Many brands have online decoders or charts, or you can often call their customer service for assistance.

Transcript
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see the manufacturing date. Grapho White makes it a little bit more complicated. You're going to look for the serial number. The serial number will have two letters in front of it. The first letter is for the year, the second letter is going to be for the month. You're going to cross-reference that information to their charts, and you'll know exactly how old that Grapho White water heater is. Now remember, the life expectancy of a water heater is 10 years.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.